Humidifier for internal-combustion engines



April 15 1924. 1,490,472

' H. E. LAWRENCE HUMIDIFIER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed May23-1923 2 Sheets-Sheet I 5 A Q R 3 wue-ntoz Homer E.La,wrence April 151924. 1,490,472

H. E. LAWRENCE HUMIDIFIER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed May 26.1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. l5, i924.

niren sraras HOMER ELLIS LAWRENCE, F ELGKN, ILLINQIS.

HUMIDIFIER FOR INTERNAL-GOMBESTIQN ENGINES.

Application filed may 28, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, HOMER E. LAWRENCE,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Elgin, in the county of Kaneand State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Imbustion enginesand more particularly to humidifiers for the fuel thereof.

The primary object ofthis invention resides in the provision of ahumidifier for an internal combustion engine, preferably an automobileengine, which will increase the explosive efiect of the fuel and tend toeliminate carbon deposits on the cylinder walls of the engine.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of ahumidifier, for an internal combustion engine, preferably an automobileengine of the water cooled type, which is adapted to be connected to theoverflow pipe of the water cooling system for conducting the vapor inthe top of the radiator and properly mixing it with warm air suckedtherein prior to being discharged therefrom into the intake pipe of thecarbureter. I

A still further object of this invention resides in the provision of ahutmidifier for an automobile engine of the water cooled type, whichconsists of an embodiment of elements capable of vaporizing any overflowfrom the radiator, mixing it with warm air sucked therein anddischarging it into the intake of the carbureter, reduce the consumptionof fuel and tend to eliminate the accumulation of carbon in the combus-40 tionchamber of the engine.

In addition to the aforesaid objects, this invention resides in theprovision of a humidifier, for automobile engines of the water cooledtype, which is adapted to not only transform any overflow of theradiator into vapor and discharge it into the intake of the carburetor,but its embodiment of elements are so arranged that any excessive supplyof water from the radiator will be discharged therefrom. 9

Aside from the aforesaid objects, this invention resides in theprovision of a humidifier," for internal combustion engines, which notonly segregates the vapor but permits warm air to commingle with thevapor Serial No. 841,683.

prior to entering the port to the. intake conduit to the carbureter.

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in certainnovel features ct construction, arrangement and combina tion of elementsto be hereinafter set forth in the specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appending claims.

in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application: I

Fig. 1 is a conventional illustration of a portion of an automobileshowing the elements of this invention in operative association with theradiator and carhureter thereof.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the humidifier per se.

Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional View on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a similar view on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a plan view with the cover plate removed.

1Fig. 7 is a detail perspective of the cover p ate.

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the feed and discharge conduit removed fromthe humid- 1 er.

In the present illustration of this invention the letter A designatesthe front portion of an automobile which comprises the engine B, waterradiator R having theusual overflow pipe 0, and carbureter 0 having theusual or any type intake pipe P.

Suitably secured between the overflow pipe 0 and intake pipe P is ahumidifier 5 which is connected in communication with the outlet end ofthe overflow pipe of the radiator into the mixing chamber and conduct ittherefrom bureter.

The exterior ends of the conduit 8 are deflected as at 8' and areconnected to the to the intake of the caraforesaid flexible conduits 6by suitable is a cover plate which is secured in vaportight relationtherewith by screws or other suitable means and has an, inwardlyprotruding V-shaped deflector 11 adapted to extend within thesubstantially V-shaped port 9 of the conduit 8 to direct the incursionof vapor into the mixing chamber from one side thereof, and theexcursion of vapor therefrom'from its opposite side.

Should the radiator discharge a greater volume of water than thehumidifier can vaporize, under normal working conditions, the air inletport 12 will function as an overflow.

In order to secure the humidifier in a rigid position so its successfuloperation is assured suitable clamping means can be secured thereto bythe fastening elements 14 or other suitable'fastening means.

With this invention installed, in communication with the outlet end ofthe overflow pipe to the radiator and the intake pipe to the carbureter,vapor is discharged into the mixing chamber where it is mixed with warmair created beneath the hood of the engine and introduced into themixeena-ya ing chamber through the port 12 and sucked into the intake ofthe carbureter by the suction of the engine pistons.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

1. A humidifier of the class described comprising a mixing chamber, aconduit extending therethrough and having a port in communicationtherewith, a cover plate for the mixing chamber, a deflector carried bythe mixing chamber and having a substantiaily V-shaped port therein, asubstantially V-shaped deflector extending into the V- shaped port ofthe conduit approximately at its medial point, and a cover platesupporting the V-shaped deflector.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HOMER ELLIS LAWRENCE.

